So you are all set for GD/PI? Can you handle real toughies in the PI? Sample some

1. So you say you were good at academics. Why did you not go for a PhD? MBA is a waste of time for bright guys like you. OR Why are your academics so bad? Having too much fun? How will you cope up with a demanding course like our MBA?

2. Can you tell me what ‘Carnot Cycle’ is? I see you got a ‘A’ in thermodynamics in your 3rd semester

3. So you want to do a MBA because you want to start your own company? Did you know that only 1 in 1000 companies started each year survive one full year?

4. Tell me ‘what is the probability that the fan on top of your head will fall on you’ – ½ no? either it will or it won’t, then why can’t we not hang it by a rope?

5. If we offer you an admission to our MBA, will you sign an agreement to work with a NGO for first 5 years of your post MBA career? Our offer will be conditional to you signing this agreement.

What do you think they are trying to do here? One thing I can guarantee, they are not looking for ‘the right answer’. All they are looking for is your ‘confidence’, ‘poise’, and ‘ability to deal with a tough situation’. The panel is trying to assess what kind of a business professional you will make once you get out of college. What is your personality like? Will you be able to take the stress that senior business roles will demand of you?

Here are a few suggestions on dealing with this:

1. Keep calm, take a minute, breathe, and digest the question before you jump into answer. You will be surprised how much your body language can give away in an interview situation. Verbal communication is a minuscule amount that they watch out for.

2. If the question gets too personal, it is perfect to say ‘I am sorry but that is too personal and I cannot answer that question’. Your confidence would be admired as well as the fact that you have learnt to draw a line as to what is permissible and what is not.

3. Irrespective of how ‘tough’ the question is, I am sure you have a point of view on them. My strong recommendation is state that point of view without fearing whether its ‘right’

4. Most of us get carried away trying to figure out what the other person wants to hear rather than saying what we truly believe. If you are more truthful than trying to cook up an answer, you will be able to defend that answer in subsequent supplementary/rejoinder questions.

If you refuse to sign that 5-year NGO agreement be assured they will offer you admission for being confident and forthright.